STERCULIACEA. 481 
manufacture of various articles of dress, cordage, &c. The Baobab-tree is 
also remarkable for its enormous size, and the great age to which it attains, 
in some cases reputed to be several thousand years. One tree of this species 
has been found to have a trunk from 90 to 100 feet in circumference. Their 
hollowed trunks are used by the natives in some districts of Africa as burial- 
places for such of their dead as are believed to have communion with evil 
spirits—A. Gregorii.—The fruit of this tree, which is a native of North 
Australia, where it is known as Sour-gourd and Cream-of-tartar tree, has 
similar properties to that of A. digitata. This genus is sometimes placed in 
Malvacee. 
Bombax.—B. Ceiba, the Silk-Cotton tree of South America, and B. pen- 
tandrum. the Silk- Cotton tree of India, are both remarkable for their size 
and height. The seeds of these plants are covered by long silky hairs ; hence 
their common name. But these hairs cannot be spun like those of ordinary 
cotton, chiefly on account of the smoothness and consequent want of adhesion 
between their sides, and are therefore useless for manufacturing purposes. 
They are employed, however, in many parts of the world, for stuffing 
cushions, &e. The bark of B. pentandrum is reputed to be emetic, This 
genus is sometimes referred to Malvacex. 
Chorisia.—C. speciosa has its seeds covered with silky hairs, which are 
used for stuffing cushions, &c. This material is termed Vegetable Silk. 
The bark of C. erispiflora is employed for making cordage in Brazil. 
Durio zibethinus.—This tree, which is about the size of the ordinary pear- 
tree, vields the fruit called Durian, which is highly esteemed in the south- 
eastern parts of Asia, being accounted next in value to the Mangosteen. It 
has, however, a strong smell, which renders it disagreeable at first, but this 
quality is soon forgotten after the palate has become familiar with it. This 
genus is sometimes referred to Malvacex. 
Eriodendron Samauma, a native of South America, is remarkable for its 
great height. Its trunk frequently overtops all the surrounding trees before 
it gives off a single branch. The hairy covering of the seeds of various 
species of Hriodendron is employed for stuffing cushions and similar pur- 
oses. 
P Guazuma.—The fruit of G. ulmifolia contains a sweetish mucilaginous 
agreeable pulp, which is eaten in Brazil, and the young bark possesses 
mucilaginous properties. 
Ochroma Lagopus, a West Indian tree, has an antisyphilitic bark, and a 
spongy wood, which is sometimes used as a substitute for cork. 
Salmalia.—The bark of some species of this genus is said to be emetic, 
and honey obtained from the flowers of S. malabarica is commonly regarded 
as both emetic and purgative. 
Sterculia—The seeds of Sterculia (Cola) acuminata, and probably of 
other species, constitute the Kola-nuts of tropical West Africa, and the 
Guru-nuts of Soudan. They are largely used in various parts of Africa as 
food and medicine, and are also commonly stated to be employed to sweeten 
water which has become more or less putrid. Their use, however, as a puri 
fier of water is denied by Dr. Daniell. They have been ‘used of recent vears 
in this country and elsewhere, as a stimulant tonic, and as a remedy i in 
chronic diarrhoea, cardiac affections, and cachexia. These properties are 
especially due to the presence of theine; they also contain tannic acid. It 
is said that these nuts have the power of staying, for even a prolonged 
period, the cravings of hunger, and of enabling those who eat them to en- 
dure continued labour without fatigue, resembling in these respects coca- 
leaves. The seeds of other species of Sterculia are also eaten in different 
parts of the globe. This is the case with S. Chica, and S. lasiantha in 
Brazil; and S. nobilis in Asia.—Sterculia Tragucantha, a native of Sierra 
Leone, receives its specific name from vielding a gum resembling Traga- 
canth. It is termed African Tragacanth, and has been stated by Dr. 
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